Tag Archives: pets

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 9:23 More Fun. Fewer Expectations.

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Labrador Lesson for 2-24-23:

More Fun. Fewer Expectations

As Labradors, we love to move. We enter every walk with no expectations; we simply look forward to having fun with our humans. We understand that sometimes humans have expectations for their movement sessions. They want to jump over a certain fallen tree, or achieve a specific pace or distance. We know that having goals is important for humans, but we suggest you approach your movement session with an open mind and a positive attitude. Just because your movement session doesn’t meet your expectations doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun. Even though the large tree had been cleared, we still enjoyed chewing on the sticks the trail crew left behind.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, look for the positive aspects of your movement. Focus on having more fun and fewer expectations.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 8:23 Share the Trail with Humans

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Labrador Lesson for 2-17-23:

Share the Trail with Humans.

As Labradors, we love hiking the local trails with our humans. Whether you naturally keep right (like Maggie) or meander around the trail (like Puddin), when you encounter oncoming humans, step off to the right to give them space. Believe it or not, not everyone wants a close encounter with someone else’s dog. And not all dogs want a close encounter with someone else’s human.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, Share the Trail so that ALL trail users can enjoy their outdoor movement experience.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 7:23 Be Present

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Labrador Lesson for 2-10-23:

Be Present.

As Labradors, we are not fans of multitasking…we live in the moment, and we’re fully “present” at all times…whether we’re wrestling in the living room, having zoomies in the backyard, hiking with our humans, chewing on sticks, or eating a meal…we enjoy each moment.

We understand that humans sometimes get tempted by the appeal of multitasking, perhaps listening to a podcast or having a conference call while taking a walk, or listening to an audiobook while working out at the gym, but we encourage you to take a tip from us…try staying fully focused on your current activity. Enjoy what you’re doing and focus on your environment, including your 2- or 4-legged companions. We suspect you’ll enjoy your activity more, and that you’ll be more relaxed when you finish if you stay present in the moment.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 6:23 Make Time to Play

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Labrador Lesson for 2-3-23:

Make Time to Play.

As Labradors, we make time to play every day…whether we’re wrestling in the living room, having zoomies in the backyard, or hiking with our humans, we enjoy our movement and play time.

We understand that humans sometimes get caught up in “crushing” their movement or workout goals, but we encourage you to take a tip from us…make time to play. Whether you have 2 legs or 4, it’s easier to make movement part of your lifestyle if movement feels less like work and more like play!

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 5:23 Help Keep Us Safe

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Labrador Lesson for 1-27-23:

Help keep us safe.

As Labradors, we don’t always make the best decisions. So we ask our humans to help keep us safe. If we’re not in our fenced in backyard (or in the house), we’re on leash…why? Because, left to our own devices, we might chase a rabbit 🐇, spook a deer 🦌, or encounter a skunk 🦨 or porcupine! We’ve also been known to eat things we shouldn’t eat. Plus, we’re lovers, not fighters, and we’d rather avoid unfriendly dogs.

If you’re a dog who makes questionable decisions, ask your humans to help keep you safe. And if you’re a human with dogs in your life, do your best to keep them safe and healthy!

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 4:23 Remember to Have Fun

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Labrador Lesson for 1-20-23:

Remember to have fun.

As Labradors, we don’t read the news, but we see just enough television and social media to know that there is no shortage of negativity in the world. Take a tip from us: focus on the positive and remember to have fun. Our fun times include walking with our humans (on leash, for their safety); chewing sticks; and watching deer and turkeys. We also love frolicking in the snow, but even when there’s no snow, we remember to have fun when we get outside.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, remember to have fun…in your movement practice, and in the rest of your life. Focus on the positive and create fun times whenever possible.

Moving2Live Presents Movement is a Lifestyle on PTCT7 – Show #6 – Meredith Wille, Steel City Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine

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After a summer of logistical delays, we’re back with a new episodes of Movement is a Lifestyle on Peters Township Community Television – check out our conversation with Meredith Wille of Steel City Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine because Movement is a Lifestyle for those with 2 AND 4 legs! Steel City Canine Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine offers rehabilitation programs for dogs with injuries, and healthy pet programs to help prevent injuries and maintain or improve your dog’s health. Check out the episode today!

Movement is a Lifestyle Features 1:21 Chica (Repost)

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Moving2Live is a podcast about movement and exercise for professionals and aficionados.  We also have Movement is a Lifestyle Features. Each week, we publish a brief highlight of a 2- or 4-legged mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click MIAL Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Chica

Where do you consider “Home”? Colorado Springs, CO

What are your three favorite movement activities? Trail running, frisbee (although I have been retired from this activity with concern for the jumping/twisting at my age), and playing in the snow

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? Last week I went with my humans to the Never Summer Mountain range. What is nice about that location is that their hut system allows canines (many hut systems do not). We were able to explore the Nokhu Crags and there was so much snow in June! Our cabin was right next to the creek so I had cold water accessible and could wade if I wanted to. We spent all day running and hiking, then when my humans would glissade the decent I could chase them.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? When I complete long runs (15+) or run on a hot day, my Mom will take me to get a pup cup from an ice cream stand in Manitou Springs, CO. Manitou is the starting point for a lot of our runs, and the owner is a local runner too. He has a pup cup that is one scoop of vanilla ice cream.

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Popcorn. I eat no human food except for the occasional pup cup and popcorn. When I hear the microwave starting, I run into the kitchen.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? Every year on my birthday I do a new movement activity. Last year, for my 12th birthday, I summited 12 different peaks in Colorado. This year, when I turn 13, we are going to find a 13er to do.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? I think it can be overwhelming for people to start a new activity to create a lifestyle change. When my human, Melissa, started running it was when she adopted me. So she had a structure in place to keep her running since I always wanted to get out. If people don’t have a structure to support their movement, it is difficult to keep going. Additionally, being patient is a big obstacle. A lot of times, dogs, included, we just want to do everything right away. But new movement takes time, training, and patience.

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? The year I turned 10 was my biggest summer. I summited Pikes Peak (local 14er) 7 times and I had two runs that were over 30 miles. I call that my Banner Summer.

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? I love my humidifier. My humans don’t know why. But they set one up in the bedroom and I love to nap right below the mist, especially after a long run. Rest is especially important and I always take a day off after a hard activity.

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) My favorite summit is a peak in Colorado Springs called Cameron Cone. About halfway up (less than one hour run) there are two rock formations called Gog and Magog. There is always a great view up there (see attached picture with the rainbows)

Contact information for Chica:
Chica does not maintain her own social media accounts, but you can follow her through her Mom, Melissa Stapanowich at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstapanowich/

Movement is a Lifestyle Animal Features 1:21 Maggie the Black Lab

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Moving2Live is a podcast about movement and exercise for professionals and aficionados.  We also have Movement is a Lifestyle Features. Each week, we publish a brief highlight of a 2- or 4-legged mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click MIAL Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: Moving2Live’s Maggie the Black Lab

Where do you consider “Home”? Finleyville, PA because that’s where my person is. I was born in Ohio.

What are your three favorite movement activities? Hiking/Running/Fartlek with my human staff. Wrestling with Puddin the Yellow Lab. Wriggling (snaking) on the floor.

Describe your “Best Day Ever” Breakfast. Nap. A berry and a lick of yogurt. Fartlek with the staff and Puddin in the park. Nap. A bite of carrot or bell pepper. Nap. Dinner. Nap. Sleep.

What is your favorite snack/treat? Tough call…tie between berries, carrots, and bell peppers…oh, pumpkin is great too…

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. Plain nonfat Greek yogurt (the Staff lets me have a lick at breakfast time). My Fromm dog food is pretty good too; the staff alternates between 3 varieties.

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? I’m a live-in-the-moment sort of dog, so nothing on my bucket list, but I’m looking forward to many Mt. Mingo Summits this year.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people or animals to move more? It sounds like humans make things too complicated…scheduling workouts and classes…don’t they realize they can just get outside and move???

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Being responsible for leading the staff on a hike in the snow…the humans couldn’t figure out where the trail was, but I convinced them to follow me, and I was right!

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Is this a trick question??? Napping, of course!

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Note: it does not need to be outside of your house) Mingo Creek Park…especially when it’s really cold or raining hard, because then we have the park to ourselves

Contact information for Maggie:
Maggie does not maintain her own social media accounts, but you can follow her through Moving2Live at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mov2liv/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movingtoliv

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_mov2liv

Movement is a Lifestyle Features 16:20 We Want Your Story

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Moving2Live is a podcast about movement and exercise for professionals and aficionados.  We also have Movement is a Lifestyle Features. Each week, we publish a brief highlight of a 2- or 4-legged mover…someone who understands that movement is a lifestyle…not just an activity.  The questions are lightly edited to allow for easy readability.  Click MIAL Features for more info if you want to be featured/know someone who should be featured.

This Week: We Want Your Story – Scroll down for our Co-Founder Lisa’s story for Inspiration…and we’re not just looking for human stories…bring us your cat tales, dog diaries, horse lore…you are only limited by your imagination…read Lisa’s profile…then submit a questionnaire for your yourself or your animal friend…

This Week: Lisa Boksenbaum

Where do you consider “Home”? I have moved a lot, searching for “Home.” I’m not sure that I’ve found it yet. I think home is where you feel a sense of connection and belonging. I’m currently living in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.

What are your three favorite movement activities? Hiking (or just walking on the rails-to-trails); cycling (especially loving my new fat bike (a Salsa Cycles Mukluk)); suspension trainer/bodyweight workouts

Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Where did you go? What movement activities did you include? Tough choice! I’m going to go with a two week trip to London (part-work, part-vacation). I walked EVERYWHERE for sightseeing, museum visits, shopping…and tried out several local Pilates studios and other fitness facilities.

What is your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? Pre-workout snack: homemade energy bites (adapted from a recipe by Kathryn Budig in her book, Aim True). Post-workout depends on the intensity of the workout…sometimes trail mix, sometimes a piece of homemade biscotti.

What is your favorite thing to eat? Note: it does not need to be healthy. A tie: REALLY good ice cream (like Millie’s, which is made in Pittsburgh) or excellent bread, cheese, and wine

Do you have a movement activity on your “bucket list”? If not, what’s a movement activity/event you’re looking forward to in the next year? I have a few: Hiking tour of Scotland and Ireland; learn to ride a horse; and a Rim-to-Rim hike of the Grand Canyon.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to getting people to move more? A combination of the misperception that movement needs to be expensive and/or complicated to be effective and a fear of trying something new

What do you feel is the most adventurous movement activity you’ve ever done? Hiking Camelback Mountain in AZ…followed by the Go Ape High Ropes Adventure Course in North Park (North Hills of Pittsburgh)…heights are not my favorite thing…

What is your favorite recovery or self-care practice? Massage (although I rarely do it), acupuncture, and snuggling with the cats and Labradors

What is your favorite spot within an hour of where you are currently living? (Bonus points if it is a “hidden gem”) The Montour Trail…not hidden, but definitely a gem….and the newly-cut MTB trails at FitLabPGH HQ

Contact information for Lisa Boksenbaum:
Lisa is the Co-Founder of the Moving2Live Podcast. Follow her movement activities through Moving2Live on social media.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mov2liv/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movingtoliv

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_mov2liv